# NTSB DEN07LA150: Beech 35-B33, N2133B, Tucumcari, NM, August 31, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 2007, 12:52 local (18:52 UTC) - Place: Tucumcari, NM - Coordinates: 35.182777, -103.603057 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1828&lon=-103.6031&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66589 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66589/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07LA150 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to properly set the mixture prior to departing in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power, and degraded climb capability. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - high density altitude - mixture - incorrect, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft performance,climb capability - other (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Prior to departure, the airplane's fuel tanks were topped off with fuel, and the pilot "thought he adjusted his mixture control." The pilot reported that during the takeoff, he noticed no problems. During the gear retraction, the engine started to "act up." The pilot stated that the "act up" was not a sputtering or unusual noise, but that "the engine wasn't making the power that [I] expected." The pilot adjusted the mixture control to different lean and rich positions, with no change to engine power noted. The pilot then attempted a forced landing to a nearby interstate highway; however due to vehicle traffic, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. Subsequently, the airplane touched down in a field with the landing gear retracted approximately 1 1/2 miles south of airport. Examination of the airplane revealed the right side of the fuselage was crushed upward and aft, and the right wing was bent. The propeller assembly and crankshaft propeller flange were separated from the crankshaft. The engine had accumulated 250 hours since major overhaul. Examination of the engine revealed mechanical continuity throughout the engine when the crankshaft was manually rotated. Continuity was established for the airframe and engine fuel system. The magnetos and wire harnesses were functionally tested and no anomalies were noted. Continuity was established from the cockpit to the throttle assembly, propeller governor, and mixture control. No anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal engine operation prior to impact. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 2007, at 1252 mountain daylight time, a Beech 35-B33 single-engine airplane, N2133B, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb from the Tucumcari Municipal Airport (TCC), Tucumcari, New Mexico. The private pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to Yuma RG Flyers, L.L.C., Yuma, Arizona, and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who interviewed the pilot, the pilot departed Yuma, Arizona, earlier that day and landed at TCC approximately 1200 to refuel. Prior to departure, the airplane's fuel tanks were topped off with fuel, the pilot "thought he adjusted his mixture control," and the airplane departed runway 21. The pilot reported that during the takeoff, he noticed no problems. During the gear retraction, the engine started to "act up." The pilot stated that the "act up" was not a sputtering or unusual noise, but that "the engine wasn't making the power that [I] expected." The pilot adjusted the mixture control to different lean and rich positions, with no change to engine power noted. The pilot then attempted a forced landing to a nearby interstate highway; however due to vehicle traffic, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. Subsequently, the airplane touched down in a field with the landing gear retracted. The calculated density altitude at the time of the accident was approximately 6,800 feet, and the winds were reported as calm. A FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, examined the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed the right side of the fuselage was crushed upward and aft, and the right wing was bent. The propeller assembly and crankshaft propeller flange were separated from the crankshaft. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harness restraints. A review of the aircraft maintenance records revealed that at the time of the accident, the Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) IO-470-N engine had accumulated 250.0 hour since major overhaul. During the engine overhaul, the following components were installed "new": starter drive, fuel system, magnetos, sparkplugs, wire harnesses, and oil cooler. On January 31, 2008, at the facilities of Air Transport, Phoenix, Arizona, the NTSB investigator-in-charge and a representative from TCM, Mobile, Alabama, examined the airframe and engine. Examination of the engine revealed mechanical continuity throughout the engine when the crankshaft was manually rotated. Continuity was established for the airframe and engine fuel system. The magnetos and wire harnesses were functionally tested and no anomalies were noted. Continuity was established from the cockpit to the throttle assembly, propeller governor, and mixture control. No anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal engine operation prior to impact. Several attempts by the NTSB investigator-in-charge to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) from the pilot were unsuccessful. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2133B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2133B-2007-11-16), registration cancelled 2007-11-16, S/N CD-563, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 35-B33 - Registry model: [Beech 35-B33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-b33) (registry code 1151406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-series) (registry code 17044, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CD-563 - Airframe hours: 3604 - Engines: Teledyne Continental IO-470-N 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Gary C. Mayer - Registered owner: Yuma RG Flyers, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2006, 250 hours before - Departed: TCC, Tucumcari, NM - Destination: MKO, MUSKOGEE, OK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 518 total, 200 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: TCC, 2 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20070831017659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070831017659A), Aug 31, 2007: Beech 35B33, Tucumcari, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 31, 2007, at 1252 MDT, a Beechcraft 35-B33, N2133B, registered to yuma rg flyers, LLC, impacted terrain during takeoff from Tucumcari Municipal… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.